Baey Yam Keng
Singapore
“Our next generation will have far greater opportunities to make their mark here. The Government will also guide them into the transport sector through scholarships, training and career development pathways, so that they can put their talents to good use and contribute to society.”
“I would say that the greening of bus stop roofs may not be something that is practical across all bus stops. I do not have the exact figures, but I am sure we must have tens of thousands of bus stops in Singapore. So, there is a cost element.”
“Based on earlier trials conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), fans have a limited impact on the ambient temperature in an exposed bus stop environment. Commuter feedback from the trials was also unfavourable. Most bus stops are also shaded by surrounding buildings and trees, reducing the effectiveness of solar installations.”
“Certainly. Members would remember that over the years and decades, our bus stop designs have evolved. We have to take into consideration various factors, not just the comfort of commuters who are waiting there but also the practicality of sighting of buses coming ahead as well as maintenance, safety and different factors like that.”
“I thank Ms Gho for her concern for the arts and the artists. Indeed, it is part of our commitment to provide affordable, accessible spaces for artists and arts groups. We have announced last year that we are doing a study on how the arts spaces provision can be better improved and the study is ongoing.”
“Speaker, the median and maximum waiting time for pedestrians at signalised junctions are 120 seconds and 140 seconds respectively. Wait times for pedestrians depend on the nature of road, junction size and configuration, as well as prevailing traffic volume.”
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“I acknowledge that it is difficult to measure fully how Singaporean we are -- matters of the heart are difficult to quantify – but I believe we should attempt to do so. 7.00 pm I suggest that we look at three groups of indicators. The first group can focus on knowledge, such as understanding of our history and culture; the second, participation in voluntary work, sports and community events; the third, can focus on relationships, such as the number of close friends from different ethnicities, social income groups and nationalities. This composite index will allow us to have a dynamic view of how cohesive our society is and assist the Ministry in making policy adjustments. Sir, while people appreciate the hard work and contributions of foreign-born athletes, there is a special place in our hearts for athletes who have grown up with us in our neighbourhoods and attended the same local schools. That is why people are still rooting for Fandi Ahmad to be our national soccer coach and for his sons to play in the Lions. When our paddlers achieved the highest victories at the last two Olympics, the jubilance and celebration were, unfortunately, diluted and undermined by negative sentiments towards athletes who were brought in to be citizens just because they had the potential to win us medals. I know other countries are also doing the same thing. Why can we not be different? A medal or a trophy is always hard earned and respected, but we must pay equal if not more attention to whether this has helped build a strong sporting culture, or how a sporting culture could be built even without international wins. For example, Sir, running has become a massive hobby in Singapore now. There are so many running events and marathons all year round. People take part not to win the race.”
“We must learn to accept and manage differences to the conventional and sometimes conservative views as our society becomes more pluralistic. Sir, while sports is missing in the name of the Ministry, it should not be missing in its priorities. We cannot let the years of effort by the sports fraternity to go to waste. YOG has come and gone. Our focus in nurturing young athletes cannot be like an event with the spotlight on it for just two weeks. We have to continue to invest in them so that they can bring glory to our nation, and Team Singapore will rally people in coming together, whether to cheer a win or mourn a loss. Sir, with corporate and individual giving at an all-time high, we must continue to encourage people with the resources, whether money, time or expertise, to help those in need. With the widening income gap, quicker pace of life and economic restructuring, we must do more. Just like our fingers which are of different lengths and strengths, the various segments of the society can only come together when the Government is the palm providing the platform and common ground so that we can smack a high five as a nation. With MCCY, the prominence given to culture points to a renewed emphasis on the intangibles of shared values, attitudes and social behaviours, which contribute to a distinct national identity and common purpose. Building social capital requires calibrated state support and freedom for natural organic developments to flourish. Hence, I am interested to know how the Ministry Page: 175 intends to measure its performance. What yardsticks will be used to judge the effectiveness of the Ministry's policies? I would like to suggest that we develop a comprehensive annual national identity and social cohesion index.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head X of the Estimates be reduced by $100". Our newly-minted Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has one of the most diverse portfolios, overseeing areas of arts, heritage, sports, community, volunteerism, national identity and youth. Its background is equally interesting, starting with our first Ministry of Culture in 1959, which was dissolved 26 years later, only to be resurrected in its present form another 27 years on. The reason for placing all these disparate fields under its wings is understandably functional – to achieve its stated objectives of "Building Social Page: 174 Capital, Inspiring the Singapore Spirit, Together Making Singapore Home". This holistic approach to building and nurturing our "heartware" is both heartening and heartwarming. Nonetheless, I seek reassurance from the Minister that artistic, sports and even charitable endeavours with merit will continue to receive support even if they may not fall clearly within the revised, more patriotic parameters. Sir, we need to continue to encourage and support our artists to break boundaries in their artistic pursuits, and shine at international arts festivals and platforms to remind the world that Singapore is not a cultural desert. At the same time, platforms, such as the Singapore Arts Festival, should be set up and positioned with a clearer vision to put Singapore in the international circuit for artists around the world as well as a platform for local practitioners. Sir, now that the censorship function is at a different Ministry, I would also like MCCY to be a champion for freedom of artistic expression.”
“I am heartened by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary's reply that MOE values school heritage. If I understand correctly, the preservation of school heritage is practically left to the principal and principals do come and go. I would like to ask MOE if they could establish a proper framework and also provide resources so that the important aspects of a Page: 165 school's heritage is not just discarded or ignored based on the whim and fancy of a principal. These efforts should also be extended to existing schools, not just when schools are closing down or merging because heritage is a living thing. It is not history; it should be an ongoing effort and process. 6.30 pm The second clarification is will MOE, when planning for new schools, be looking into its database of defunct school names, to revise some of these names? For MOE's information, my alma mater, Westlake Primary School's name is available. It was located then along Braddell Road, so it does not need to be located in the West.”
“Madam, every school is a good school, not because they have good students, good teachers, good results or good infrastructure. The goodness in a school goes beyond what it is or what it possesses today. We need to preserve, respect and promote its heritage and tap on its alumni to build on what is good today so as to be better tomorrow.”
“Madam, Dunman Secondary School is in Tampines and Dunman High School is in Tanjong Rhu. Both were previously at Dunman Road sharing a common field. North Vista Secondary School was set up in Sengkang in 2000. Before that, it was known as Thomson Secondary School. Its Chinese name, 德新中学, was maintained to preserve its historical links. I guess the English name was changed because the school is no longer at Thomson Road. Why did Dunman Secondary keep its name but not Thomson Secondary School? Is it because Thomson Road is a longer and more prominent road than Dunman Road? We have to remember that both roads were after all named after people who lived in the 19th century, John Turnbull Thomson who was the Government Surveyor, and Thomas Dunman, the first full-time Commissioner of Police. Nowadays, due to changing demographics, schools merge, close down or relocate. Teachers and principals no longer stay many years in the same school. So, when the alumni cannot find attachment to the school building or people in the alma mater, the school name is the only link left. Like National Service, our education system is a rite of passage that brings Singaporeans together for a common experience, a collective memory that helps build our Singapore identity. Page: 137 I met a senior alumnus of San Shan Primary School two years ago. He lamented that his school is no longer around and said that if the name "San Shan" could be revived in any new school, he and other alumni would be more than happy to come forth and contribute to the school. I am sure there are many more such people who have been "orphaned" but still have fond memories and feelings for the alma mater. We should tap on the network and spirit.”
“Madam, the tragic accident in Tampines in January would not be so devastating if the vehicle involved were not a cement mixer. In view of the rising trend of traffic offences by heavy vehicle drivers and disproportionately higher and increasing number of fatal accidents, I have three suggestions for the Ministry to consider. One, set up a mechanism involving the local community to plan the routes for heavy vehicles accessing construction sites in a built-up estate. LTA currently forbids cement trucks to go on the expressway. Can heavy vehicles be restricted near school zones and heavy pedestrian areas too? Page: 28 Two, implement a penalty system for employers and hirers of heavy vehicle drivers so that they would be more responsible in hiring and training their drivers. And three, require all heavy vehicles to install digital video recorders. Madam, as we ramp up infrastructural projects, there will be more heavy vehicles on the road, so let us make our best effort so that they can be safer on the road.”
“Based on the Yellow Pages rule, the Government was not to dabble in activities of the private sector, so as to concentrate on its core services. Yes, I agree that the Traffic Police should focus on the investigation of the accident, but losing control over witness signboards has caused a delay in reaching out to potential eye witnesses. Would that not affect its core service too? By outsourcing the upgrading work to a contractor, it appears that HDB has also outsourced its accountability. I would expect the HDB to follow up on the Page: 131 complaint by the Residents' Committee member and deal with its contractors directly. In the long run, farming out services to external agencies could also lead to a decline of competencies in the public sector. I would like to suggest that the Government rein in the enthusiasm of outsourcing and consider moving some functions back within the Government to regain control of our public service standards and restore accountability.”
“Madam, on Chinese New Year's eve, an old lady was knocked down by a motorcyclist in Tampines. She passed away the following day. The family was naturally distraught and asked for an appeal-for-witnesses signboard to be put up. The Duty IO said that it would be done within 24 hours. Unfortunately, the contractor could not be contacted as he had already closed for Chinese New Year. In the end, the family had to wait a few days for the sign because the Traffic Police had outsourced the entire function. Not a single department in the Traffic Police had an extra sign which could be used. A few months ago, at my CCC meeting, a RC member raised some issues about a lift upgrading project in the estate. HDB updated at the subsequent meeting that the contact of the contractor had been given to the RC member to follow up. He was expecting the RC member, who is a volunteer, to liaise with the contractor on that issue. These incidents, both happening within two months, made me wonder if we should study and pre-empt the downside of outsourcing. The Government's decision to outsource certain functions was based on the assumption that the external agent would be able to provide a better service at a lower cost. Yes, saving taxpayers' money is important. However, there is an inherent conflict in such an arrangement. A company's motivation is profit maximisation. Cost reduction for some businesses simply means cutting corners. When complaints arise, the Government department involved loses public trust. Although errant contractors can be penalised and excluded from future contracts, this does not guarantee that the next contractor will do any better. Sometimes, the root cause or constraint of a problem is merely transferred from the Government to the private contractor.”
“Thank you, Mdm Chair. Minister said last week that he will continue to explore new technologies to make LUP technically more feasible and also at lower cost. I would like to clarify if the deadline of 2014 for LUP will still apply. Despite that, there will always be blocks which have special physical constraints or there are just too few units to co-share the cost of lift upgrading. For those who are not able to benefit from LUP, will Minister consider other help for these house owners, and whether the Minister can consider pegging the value of such help to the maximum grant extended to each LUP benefiting unit of, I believe, $30,000 each?”
“However, REACH can only play a limited part in channelling Page: 101 the feedback received to the relevant Ministries, and closing the loop with the contributors when the Ministry replies. What is the overall Government's strategy of tapping on public suggestions and views to help shape our policies? Could the Minister also share recent examples of how feedback has impacted policies and the speed with which the changes are being implemented? Finally, what are the obstacles preventing more expeditious response to feedback and what are the strategies we have in place to overcome these difficulties?”
“The Government has been actively encouraging the participation of Singaporeans in many aspects of policymaking. This is evident in the public consultations, dialogue sessions and, of course, REACH. To the Government's credit, in preparation for this Budget, much public feedback has been taken into account in the many new measures announced. Despite this, the level of citizen involvement in policymaking can be improved. Singaporeans are always complaining that the Government is not listening to them and that their feedback is not taken seriously. Madam, a case in point is the White Paper on Population. In the last few years, many Singaporeans have been complaining about the increasing squeeze in our common spaces and the overwhelming presence of foreigners in every sector of our economy. According to the White Paper, between March and October 2012, close to 2,500 pieces of feedback were received directly. How does this number compare with the figures for other consultations? Have enough time and avenues been allocated and utilised for Singaporeans to understand and discuss the proposals and projections for this very complex issue, and to collectively brainstorm possible solutions for our future? As far as possible, new policies should be well thought-through, discussed and debated, widely consulted with all relevant stakeholders, revised and fine-tuned, as had occurred with some of our Bills, including HOTA and Consumer Protection. Not everyone will agree with all policies, but a rigorous process will improve understanding of the subject matter and, subsequently, buy-in. Madam, as the Vice Chairman of REACH Supervisory Panel, I know that the volume of feedback and suggestions REACH has received over the years has been increasing.”
“Producing too many programmes in too short a time is like a factory production line, using the same model to make products which look more or less alike. It is good that MediaCorp is outsourcing some of the programmes. This allows viewers to have a variety of good programmes. I hope MediaCorp and other media companies will do more in this aspect and provide more platforms for independent production houses. In addition, I hope they will also be fair towards independent production houses in terms of production budgets, as the creative people also need to make a living.”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The Government will pump in $630 million in the next five years to invest in Public Service Broadcast. A portion of this will fund programmes produced by MediaCorp and the rest will go to independent production houses. I do not have a lot of time to watch television programmes, but recently I happened to catch a few episodes of "Game Plan" and was intrigued by its story on swindlers. The story was full of twists and turns, the dialogues were not stereotypical, and it was shot in a very different manner. I could not catch every episode as the story moved very fast, it was not like some drama serials where you could guess what happened even if you missed a few episodes. I could only find out the latest development from my children. I found out later that this serial was produced by independent production house Wawa Pictures. On the other hand, the next serial in the same time slot, MediaCorp's "Beyond", could have been shot in a very different way due to its supernatural theme. But it was no different from MediaCorp's other dramas. I could see that it was trying to be something different but lacked the flair and flavour. I am not an expert on television programmes. But as an ordinary audience, I am worried. Has MediaCorp been producing too many programmes that it was just focusing on quantity and not quality? Is it not able to make a breakthrough? The drama serials were either on family relations or police work. Even the variety shows lacked variety. They were either food or travel shows, or they just feature celebrities playing games and entertaining themselves. Good programmes require time to develop and plan.”
“When an article goes viral, it is quite possible for its reach to grow exponentially, reaching hundreds of thousands quickly through links. However, if a Straits Times or Zaobao subscriber would like to share an article, he would not be able to do so unless his friends are also subscribers. Our newspapers play an important role in shaping our national discourse and our sense of identity and provide platforms for us to voice our collective aspiration and concerns. I understand that it may not make commercial sense to expect people to pay for physical newspapers when the online version is totally free. However, TODAY newspaper has and is doing well even when both its physical and online versions are free of charge. I am sure a commercial mind can work out a viable business model because it is imperative that such content, especially of local interests, be made as accessible as possible to as many Singaporeans as possible. Lastly, we need to advocate responsible behaviour online and I would like the Minister to share his plans to raise awareness of right online behaviour and increase media literacy among the people. Technology that Matters”
“Madam, the way that people consume media has changed dramatically. Hence, the Government has tasked the Media Convergence Review Panel to look at how our media policy and licensing framework can remain relevant and adequate. Like Mr Zaqy, I would like the Minister to share the recommendations that the Government is looking to accept and the potential impact on our consumers. In particular, I am interested in the measures to build social cohesion and reduce polarisation. Consumers increasingly gravitate towards content which are in line with their own outlook and perspectives. What is our strategy to build national identity and community cohesion across both new and traditional media platforms? We also have to produce strong and identifiable local content which Singaporeans can relate to and be proud of. In view of how easily Singaporeans can access global content, we must develop our own content which is attractive and sustainable and which can contribute to inspire and spur further contributions and future developments. Madam, I would like to suggest that we provide free online access to more local news articles and commentaries, particularly for The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao. These are typically well-researched and thoughtful analyses by the journalists and contributors. However, as more readers access online news and some, especially the young, even obtain information online exclusively, they are not readily exposed to views expressed in these newspapers. Now that both papers' online versions are available only via subscriptions, most turn to free sites like ChannelNewsAsia.com and TODAY online. In cyberspace, it is not so much the ease of accessing information but the power of social media Page: 62 through the sharing of articles via links.”
“Our national servicemen complete their missions in their uniforms and camouflages, where race and social class melt away. We only have to look around to see how much we already are a cohesive people. Social cohesion is as critical as a strong economy and robust defence force to ensure the survival, success and sovereignty of Singapore. By ensuring greater shared experiences, stronger social norms and higher social mobility, Singaporeans will be more committed to the country with a stronger conviction of their identities. I support the Budget because the intent and investment of the Budget will continue to strengthen our social cohesion for a better Singapore, and to ensure the benefits of our progress are widely shared. 1.04 pm”
“High social mobility means that the success of our children should continue to depend more on their abilities and hard work than their parents' income and education. Investing in preschool education and support is critical to ensure equal opportunity to succeed to sustain social mobility. We are providing childcare financial assistance to all mothers – this is good. This helps children to grow up in safe learning environments. Page: 31 I support the doubling of our spending on the preschool sector over the next five years to over $3 billion. Investing in children when they are still developing helps them to unlock their potential and contribute more to our economy as productive citizens. I agree that it is also important to bring in more anchor operators so as to benefit more children. This investment will not just increase our nation's competitiveness. It is also what a fair and just society should do. We must take care of the youngest member in our society. We must ensure they have equal opportunity to succeed. We must ensure all Singaporeans regardless of birth and connections can contribute to our country's growth through their hard work and abilities. Madam, it is unfortunate that the discourse of the population White Paper has been about differences, divides and distinctness. Let us not draw the wrong conclusions from that Debate. We have come far since the founding of our nation. Our Singaporean foodies line up patiently for the best hawker food, regardless if one is a CEO or a cleaner. Our Chinese, Malay and Indian elderly citizens watch TV and enjoy their food and drinks together in coffee shops. Our children play easily together in our HDB playgrounds regardless of race and language.”
“And, in public transport, while the train operators must improve the reliability and the service quality, I recommend that our train operators also takes a more inclusive approach by making announcements in all four national languages whenever appropriate for each station's name. English is a common language to facilitate integration. On the other hand, we must not forget the value and importance of our mother tongues. Our four national languages are used in communication of important Government policies. In public transport, while the train operators must improve reliability and service quality, I recommend that they also take a more inclusive approach by making announcements in all four national languages whenever appropriate for each station's name. Some may argue that this may be inefficient, but it is important for us to do so for two reasons. First, our elderly who do not understand English would be better served. Secondly, the announcements in different languages remind us that we live in a multilingual society. I remember in the 80s when the MRT just started, there were long announcements in four languages when the trains approach City Hall and Raffles Place interchange stations so that passengers know where to alight to take the next train. As a young person then, it was a very audible reminder to me that I live in a multilingual country, Singapore. Madam, we must sustain social mobility to strengthen social cohesion. Our meritocratic system works best and will continue to be accepted by all Singaporeans when there is equal opportunity to succeed regardless of family resources. The poor must not feel that hard work and ability are insufficient to work out their stations in life.”
“Their incomes will be taxed at double the tax bracket of a single filer. For example, if the personal income of a single tax filer starts to be chargeable at $20,000, a Singaporean married couple income starts to be chargeable at $40,000 and the subsequent tax brackets would be doubled correspondingly. This applies to whether one or both members of the couple work or have income. This would allow Singaporean married couples to be liable for less income tax and then they can further enjoy more tax incentives when they have children. Madam, our narrow definition of success related to mainly material success or material possessions likely has compelled many young Singaporeans to delay their marriage so that they can better compete with those without family commitments. Our norms, from using the size of one's pay cheque to define success must shift. I will encourage Singaporeans passionate about this issue to participate in the second phase of Our Singapore Conversation. One of the topics is how do we broaden the definition of success. Every honest job has its intrinsic value. Every honest job contributes to society. We must respect good honest work. Page: 30 Our social norm of respecting our multiracial and multilingual society must continue to be strengthened. We have encouraged and supported foreign workers working in the service industries to converse in English to ensure that all Singaporeans are better served. English is a common language to facilitate integration. On the other hand, we must not forget the value and importance of our mother tongues. Our four national languages are used in communication of important government policies.”
“Almost all the athletes are born in New Zealand. On the other hand, our Olympic winners are all new citizens brought in under the Foreign Sports Talent scheme. We are grateful for their commitment and hard work. However, we must also Page: 29 reflect on the criticism of the approach of bringing in foreign athletes and giving them citizenship to compete for Singapore. The wins of these new citizens can sometimes be a pyrrhic victory. Some of them have left Singapore for the country they were born in, such as Li Jiawei and Li Li. Our sports like bowling, sailing and swimming have local born Singaporeans winning at international competitions and doing us proud. We must continue to promote our local talents. Setting up Sports School in 2004 was the right decision. We hope to see more graduates of the school competing and winning at the highest level. Let us be conscious of ensuring our performance at international sport competitions bring Singaporeans together, and not apart. Mdm Speaker, we have to encourage the social norms that will encourage marriages even as many adults have expressed willingness to be married in a recent survey. Our declining fertility is due to a lack of marriages. Our resident total fertility rate is very low at 1.2. However, the average number of children born to ever-married females aged 30-39 years is 1.52 and higher at 2.06 for those aged 40-49. Therefore, getting more Singaporeans to commit to each other in marriage is critical to encourage more children. The recently announced marriage assistance procreation package helps, but we can go further given national priority of having more Singaporean babies. We may have to consider changes in our taxation structure to provide the option for married Singaporean couple to file joint income tax.”
“(In English): Madam, we must create and preserve more shared common spaces that are affordable to all Singaporeans. The decision to allow social enterprises to run our hawker centres help ensure that Singaporeans, rich and poor, are able to enjoy local food at affordable prices at the same places. Our hawker centre stalls rents must be kept affordable and not be completely subjected to market forces. Our public attraction admission fees such as that of the Zoo and Night Safari can cost up to $72 and $116 for a family with two children. These fees are very high for the estimated one-quarter million families earning $3,300 a month at the 20 percentile of Singaporean resident household income level in 2012. Like what Gardens by the Bay has done, we should lower prices of our public attractions for locals, to ensure that our poor and rich enjoy these common spaces. Even as we expand the accessibility of more shared common spaces, we must aim to preserve memories of national importance. This serves an important purpose of reminding us where we come from, so we can be more certain of where we are going. Just when the new Sports Hub is under construction, the recent effort of using the old spectator benches of National Stadium in innovative designs is refreshing and commendable. Many Singaporeans remember the many cheers of joy and tears of disappointment when our soccer team won and lost at international matches. I am glad our National Stadium will not have its naming rights sold, so that our roar can still be called the Kallang Roar. Sports bring people together, especially when we are supporting our fellow citizens in international competitions. New Zealand has a similar population as Singapore and won 13 Olympic medals in the 2012 London Olympics.”
“In addition to NHB's work of putting artefacts in museums, and Preservation of Monuments Board marking the Civilian War Memorial as a national monument, we could look at recognising living traditions and cultures such as local food stalls which have heritage value. Some stalls have been around for generations, and together we should find ways to allow them to continue cooking in traditional ways and help them to carry on their trade. In Mandarin, Madam. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] We are going to celebrate Singapore's 50th National Day very soon. Local hawker fare has also been part of our lives for the last 50 years. They are a crucial part of our local culture. We should seek out hawker food and hawker stalls with 50 years of heritage, the familiar brands, and accord them with the status of national heritage food. While these master artisan hawkers are still alive, SPRING Page: 28 Singapore should help them preserve their cooking methods and the longevity of their business. When the Government cut down on foreign labour, it pointed out that the F&B industry needs to increase productivity. We can understand the Government's intention but the problem is that those who can restructure successfully are probably the group enterprises. These hawker stalls usually only employ one or two helpers, thus MOM could give them more flexibility. On the other hand, if these master artisan hawkers are willing to share their trade secrets, we can also work with MediaCorp to look for humble and hardworking disciples to learn from the masters in reality television shows, and the prize for the winning disciple, besides the cooking skills, can be one year rental wavier at a hawker stall under NEA.”
“He sees patients in the morning and at night, and in the afternoon, he goes around hunting down good hawker food and shares his insights and findings. His passion gets him going and makes his life more enjoyable and fuller. Likewise, as a country, while our budget allocates financial resources to keep our economy going, we must not ignore the intangible things that keep us together. Using our local food as an example, they are not just perishables to keep our stomach full, to titillate our taste buds, to satisfy our cravings, or just the job of NEA to build 10 new hawker centres, although that is a very much welcomed change in policy. According due attention to our national identity has to be a whole-of-Government effort. First, we should teach our student to use more local cooking equipment and learn more local food during the Home Economics classes. Why learn only how to use the frying pan when we can also learn how to use the wok? Why only bake muffins when we can also make huat kueh? Why only bake carrot cake when we can also fry carrot cake? Secondly, NEA and AVA may want to balance the importance of preserving local food culture as ensure food hygiene. For example, there are not many coffee roasting places left in Singapore. One of the owners was asked recently by AVA to cool their coffee beans on metal trays rather than on the floor which they had been doing so for more than the past 50 years. Hygiene cannot be compromised, but why not ensure cleanliness of the floor rather than going by the book that assumes trays will always be cleaner. This requirement has reduced the coffee throughput, increased the production time, reduced productivity, and potentially puts their business at risk.”
“Therefore, we must support more shared national experiences, strengthen social norms and values, and sustain social mobility to strengthen social cohesion. Madam, there has been much discussion on what the Singapore Core is, and who forms the Singapore Core. I do not think it is so simply defined as whether one is born in Singapore or not. Affinity, love, loyalty and patriotism are emotional feelings, not a birth certificate in black and white. Flashing a pink Identification Card (IC) does not necessarily mean one is a Singaporean at heart. What do Singaporeans identify ourselves with? Meritocracy and multiculturalism are values we hold dearly. Appreciation and pride of our local culture is another indicator. Why does Tao Li seem to be more accepted as a Singaporean even though she is born in China? The fact that she spouts Singlish and loves char kway teow must have something to do with it. Our colloquial and rojak language skills and local hawker food may not build us strong linkages internationally in trade but they help us identify ourselves as fellow Singaporeans, especially when we are overseas. While we all want Singapore to continue to do well economically, we cannot neglect the bedrock of our economy, which is our sense of belonging that binds us as a people who are passionate about making Singapore our home and doing our best for the country. Local food and its culture are part of our national identity and provide shared memories and experiences across generations. We must be proactive in preserving, protecting and promoting our national identities such as our local food culture. As part of my research for today's speech, I recently met up with Page: 27 Dr Leslie Tay of "ieat ishoot ipost". He is a popular food blogger and also a medical doctor.”
“Mdm Speaker, the PAP government Budgets have always put the lives of Singapore citizens front and centre for the past 47 years. This Budget is no different. We should never take for granted our determination, ability, and effort to balance the Budget, and even to generate a surplus for future generations. Our ability to raise and spend money wisely and prudently allows us to build a fair and just society where the benefits of progress are spread widely to most people. The Budget is aptly themed "A Better Singapore: Quality Growth, An Inclusive Society". It is right to assure an Inclusive Society. It is also right to ensure a cohesive society. A stronger cohesive society will enable us to work together to improve productivity as employers and employees, and to defend our nation as fellow citizens. A progressive taxation structure compels those who have the most to give more to help those who are left behind. Those who have done well in life must know that our society has enabled their ability and Page: 26 hard work to achieve their fullest potential. The progressive nature of this Budget taxes high living, not hard work. High income earners who choose not to buy expensive cars or live in the most expensive properties will be minimally affected by the tax increases. Madam, the intense, important and insightful debate on the population white paper shows that Singaporeans care passionately for a better Singapore. The Government and the people stand side by side to achieve this aspiration. Ensuring social cohesion results in a better Singapore. Diverse views can come together for the survival, success and sovereignty of Singapore. Nation building has always been our Government's preeminent focus since independence.”
“Madam, we understand that in mature estates where there are construction works, it would be difficult not to have a lot of heavy vehicles in certain areas, including schools. But I would like the Ministry to review the current ban on cement mixers on expressways. Because in my discussion with the authorities, we knew that there is actually an alternative route for the cement mixers to by-pass the area where the accident happened but they must ply a certain stretch of the Tampines Expressway (TPE). I would also like to suggest that the Ministry encourage the contractors or the route planners to work closely with the Advisers on the ground, especially where there are heavily-populated residential areas, to work out a safer route for the heavy vehicles in the estates. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, indeed, certainly we will take on the Member's suggestion. Wherever possible, safety is our priority.”
“Madam, I thank the Minister for her reply. If I have the figures correctly, it seems that slightly more than half of the applicants were not successful in applying for PR for their foreign spouses. For Singaporeans who have already married but do not satisfy the conditions to allow their spouses to stay in Singapore permanently, what is the Government expecting these Singaporeans and spouses to do in planning for the future? Are they expected to migrate, leave Singapore or maybe they should not marry a foreigner in the first place? Page: 14”
“It measures neither our work ethics nor our respect for all races and religions; neither our shared grief nor our shared happiness; neither our compassion for the poor and disabled nor our devotion to national service; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it tells us everything about Singapore except why we are proud that we are Singaporeans." (proc text)] Even as we debate the assumptions, assertions and projections, let us use this opportunity to refocus on why we are embarking on such a long-term planning effort. We want to ensure that Singapore is prepared for the future. In planning such a future, we must ensure that this future vision of Singapore is what our citizens will want to live in. We should also ensure our new Singaporeans know what being a Singaporean means and for them to be proud Page: 133 of being a Singaporean.”
“The need for stronger social cohesion is especially important so we can be confident that our capable and mobile Singapore Citizens will choose to stay in Singapore even with a prolonged period of economic recession. We do not abandon our family members because of hard times. Therefore, our investment in infrastructure must be matched by our investment to enhance social cohesion. Sir, a friend shared with me recently his adaptation of a 1968 speech by Robert Kennedy on GNP growth, which he feels encapsulates the angst many Singaporeans feel about the White Paper and the pride they have about Singapore. I quote: [(proc text) "Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross domestic product − if we should judge Singapore by that − counts increasing expensive housing and cars, and more air conditioning to cool our shopping malls. It counts tuition for our children and the counselling services to comfort them. It counts the destruction of our mangrove swamps and the loss of our heritage buildings due to more high rise. It counts bankruptcy filing cost for those who lost everything in the casinos, and funeral services for those who lost their lives in senseless accidents. It counts Rolex watches and Prada bags, and the advertisements which promote material wealth in order to sell more branded goods to us. (proc text)] [(proc text) Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the ties of our extended family and the strength of our friendships; the belief that all have equal opportunity to succeed or the integrity of our leaders.”
“Sir, the White Paper does not elaborate on how we may have to invest to prevent social cohesion wearing away, given a smaller proportion of citizens over time. In 2030, out of 100 people in Singapore, only 55 will be Singapore Citizens. The other 45 people will be foreign workers and we will have a younger profile to ensure our old-age ratio remains stable. Even as we pick and choose the profiles and skill-sets of the foreign workers to suit Singapore's changing requirements, we need to ensure Singaporeans in these sectors do not have their wages artificially depressed from an unfettered inflow. We must also ensure that all lower income foreign workers are treated with respect and dignity when they are in Singapore, as this is the right thing to do. However, a 55:45 ratio of citizen to non-citizen would have significant impact on our social cohesion. Singaporeans are still in the midst of adjusting ourselves psychologically and emotionally to having more foreigners amongst us. I have received feedback from many residents that they feel uneasy, somewhat displaced, with a growing sense of insecurity due to the rapid influx of foreigners. Strengthening the Singaporean Core with a significant inflow of foreign workers from many different countries is challenging. Many of our foreign workers come from countries with longer histories and will assert themselves in daily interactions with Singaporeans. It is inevitable that misunderstandings and conflicts will arise from differences in social values, cultural norms and Page: 132 living habits. Our norms and values which many Singaporeans hold dear and expressed during Our Singapore Conversation are part of our national identity.”
“Next, Sir, I would like to provide another perspective to the assertion that our senior citizens will result in a less vibrant economy. Some have termed the demographic shift as a silver tsunami. Our senior citizens contributed to the development of Singapore. It is fitting and proper that we have helped many to be financially independent through the CPF scheme and HDB flats. We should have programmes to help our seniors understand how to better manage their finances. We should implement viable healthcare programmes, support companies in providing tailored work for the seniors and protect our seniors against age discrimination at the workplace. Our seniors must not be seen as just a burden on our economy. Focusing on the old-age support ratio overlooks the fact that our seniors are also Page: 131 supporting working age Singaporeans. Many grandparents take care of their grandchildren, prepare meals and look after the household. Only with these grandparents can many parents focus on their work, knowing that their children are being taken care of by the best care-givers. Our seniors form a silver oasis, not the frightening silver tsunami. Their sharing and passing on of culture and values to the younger generation is priceless and enhances social cohesion. They are like a spring of fresh water and life that makes the desert greener and cooler. Senior citizens could also be a target consumer market segment for businesses and industry development. With better education, affluence, financial planning and health, the elderly of 2030, myself included, will be a different breed to possibly support a new pillar of the economy. As an aged society in a few years' time, Singapore can also be the test-bed for geriatric innovations.”
“There would always be some companies in each sector that would not be able or choose not to invest in the necessary technology or revamp their Page: 130 work processes to boost productivity. We should also ensure skilled manual jobs, such as those involving tiling, electrical installations and plumbing, to be seen as desirable occupations for Singaporeans. We should support the formation of professional guilds like those in Germany, which will enable more Singaporean skilled workers to have access to upgrading opportunities and certification to enhance their productivity. Yes, the services they provide may cost more but the quality will be much higher. I am heartened yesterday to read The Straits Times featuring young hawkers, or what they call hawkerpreneurs who have tertiary qualifications but have chosen to carry on their family business or start a venture in the humble food business. This is even more relevant as local hawker food is such a big part of our culture, heritage and Singapore identity. To be honest, food court dishes prepared by foreign workers just taste different. Ingredients may be the same but the flavour has changed. We can also do more to reduce our dependence on foreign domestic workers by providing more affordable, accessible and accredited childcare, student care and eldercare centres. By depending less on foreign domestic workers, our children will also have the opportunity to be more independent and contribute towards household chores. The trend of outsourcing skilled labour work to foreign workers must change. Singaporeans can and should be encouraged and incentivised to take up skilled labour jobs with higher productivity and pay.”
“So, even though they have started a family and want to settle down in Singapore, they are not able to do so. Do we want to see such families fall apart? Or do we want to add salt to the wound when they already have financial difficulties to deal with additional expenses for housing and medical fees? I, therefore, urge the Government to help such citizens who have not managed to keep pace with and benefit from the country's progress, by amending our immigration policy. Perhaps, we could make it easier for them to apply for PR or citizenship for their foreign spouses. The policy could look into details, such as it must be the Singaporean spouse's first marriage, or the applicant has to reside in Singapore for at least three years, or undergo an interview to assess the applicant's sincerity and commitment. In addition, the Government should help these new brides integrate into Singapore. For example, we can host free or low-cost workshops or courses to help them learn to get along with their in-laws from different cultural backgrounds, to understand the social habits and customs in Singapore, to master English or to participate in community activities. (In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like now to move on to the topic of productivity. The White Paper asserts that productivity growth is increasingly harder to achieve. Yes, it is hard, but this means that we must increase our efforts to improve productivity so that our economic growth is not so dependent on foreign labour. To address worker shortage in labour-intensive sectors, we must support companies in re-designing job scope and work processes.”
“Just like any other men, they just wanted to have a companion to grow old together with, to raise children or to have someone to help them take care of their elderly parents. These women, usually from neighbouring countries, come from poor background and have few opportunities of getting good education. They also have poor career prospects in their home countries. Thus, they choose to leave their home country to search for a better life and marry a Singaporean spouse. In a way, they are quite similar to our forefathers who decided to move southwards to settle here many years ago. In my interaction with them, I find that they are typically good wives and mothers. Even though their husbands may be much older, they are willing to go through toil and hardship with them. However, these couples discovered after getting married, even after registering their marriages in Singapore, that the wife could not reside in Page: 129 Singapore permanently. Last year, the Government launched the LTVP+ scheme which allows these foreign spouses who have Singaporean children to stay in Singapore for three to five years and enjoy similar medical subsidies as PRs. This is, indeed, a piece of good news. But they are still quite nervous, as LTVP+ is not permanent. Such families are not eligible for rental flats and receive less subsidies from the Government when they buy resale flats. Even if they receive the same medical subsidies as PRs, MOH cut the subsidies for PRs in October last year, six months after the Government introduced LTVP+. For various reasons, many of these Singaporean men and their foreign spouses will not be able to reach the required education and income levels for their PR or citizenship applications to be approved.”
“Sir, on immigration, I would also urge the Government to refine its approach in emphasising academic qualifications and financial ability. We all Page: 128 accept that anyone wanting to be a PR or citizen of Singapore should be contributing to the nation and not add to the social burden. Singapore should be better off with every new migrant. At the same time, we are aware of the negative sentiment against PRs and new citizens who have more resources or better capabilities and are competing with locals for school places, scholarships, jobs, cars and properties. While I do not advocate a protectionist mindset to shelter people from the realities of competition and erode the values of determination and hard work to strive for a better life, Sir, our immigration policy sometimes does come across as being cold-hearted and too pragmatic. A policy should also address the needs of fellow Singaporeans who yearn for a better life and this is where the heart of the Government needs to come in. As an example, I would like to call for the Government to be more sympathetic towards foreign spouses applying for PR or citizenship, which I will now elaborate in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] At my Meet-the-People sessions, quite a number of residents would ask me to help their foreign spouses to apply for PR or citizenship. Most of them are middle-aged, lowly-educated blue-collared workers, some without fixed incomes. This group of Singaporeans is fully aware that they are not very eligible and have difficulties getting a girlfriend. Some of them even gave up the idea of getting married and were prepared to remain single and lonely for the rest of their lives. In recent years, more and more people tried to look for spouses in neighbouring countries.”
“We have to ensure that our citizens feel that the Government has truly listened and forcefully acted on their concerns on housing, transport and healthcare before increasing the foreign worker population further. Singapore must also continue to increase our citizens' birth rate. I especially support the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood Package proposal of giving Singaporean couples with children first priority in new HDB flat applications. These are the types of changes that would play a material role to help parents beyond baby bonuses and subsidies. I would like to propose a modified version of a suggestion I made during the Budget debate in 2011 that I think would encourage Singaporeans to not only have babies, but more babies. Parents are naturally anxious about their children's education. While I do subscribe to the notion that "every school is a good school", I can understand that some parents would have preferences for certain schools for various reasons. I am more worried that now, for some popular schools, their student profile is far from being representative of the general population. I would like to suggest that, on top of the current criteria defining the different phases of Primary 1 registration, we accord priority for registrants with one or more siblings. For example, if the child has one sibling, he would be eligible for Phase 2B, and, if he has two, he can register at Phase 2A, and maybe, for those with three or more siblings, Phase 1 priority is given. This will also encourage parents to have more babies earlier, before their eldest reach seven years old. In support of intact families, the child and his siblings must have the same parents.”
“People just cannot fathom that things will get better before the grand vision of the 2030 materialises. Sir, that is why it is extremely bold – and some may even say foolish – for the Government to want to subject itself to full scrutiny by laying down its cards to try to explain itself and take up the uphill task of convincing the populace. It could have chosen to be silent on the projection number or the timeframe. It could have just rolled out the grand plans for the new nature spaces, new MRT lines, new housing estates to make everyone happy. However, Singaporeans today want greater transparency; they want to express their views and want their voices heard. This is what an educated population and a more mature society expects. This is the process that we are going through now and we have to go through it. It is appropriate to put forth projection figures for further discussions and debates. It is a move in the right direction since we want to encourage more active citizenry and participation Page: 127 from Singaporeans. Only this way can we collectively decide our future and make conscientious choices between trade-offs. Let us keep an open mind, understand the issues at hand, accept the constraints and face the challenges as we have as a people, both for our generation and future generations. Sir, the Government has been building more flats, roads, rails and hospitals to accommodate the population which has grown significantly in the past five years. It will take a couple of years before Singaporeans can feel the full positive impact of these investments. We should consider only increasing the inflow of foreign workers to close the urgent infrastructural gaps in the next few years, while constraining inflow in other sectors.”
“If we look at the percentage increase of the projected figure against the existing population at the point in time, it was 29% in 1991, Page: 126 34% in 2001 and 30% now in 2013. These increases have been quite close. There are probably a few reasons why we are hearing the sentiments today. Firstly, the pace of increase is getting quicker. The White Paper is referring to 17 years from now. Most people see ourselves still around to either enjoy the better environment, or suffer the bigger squeeze for common space and opportunities. Whereas in 2001, when the projected increase was the highest at 34%, it was over a period of 40 to 50 years. Even I wonder if I would be around in 2050. However, the pace of development in the world is quickening. The Prime Minister has been very upfront in admitting that the Government did not have 20/20 vision over the last decade. It is, indeed, getting more difficult to plan really long term as the world, including Singapore, will experience many and more frequent changes in future. Secondly, people are also questioning if the population increase is the way for continual growth. A 12-storey block was considered a high-rise building in the 1970s. Now we have flats at the 50th floor. I am sure technology will allow 100-storey blocks to be built en masse in the future. We can live higher up, we can go underground, we can reclaim more land. However, is there a limit to how many can live in our little island state? There is a fundamental question about the growth or sustenance model for Singapore. Thirdly, this topic is particularly sensitive now when people are finding it difficult to board buses and MRT trains, when people are not getting their HDB flats soon enough, when people are waiting longer times for medical appointments.”
“Sir, many of the forward-looking proposals in the Population White Paper are practical and well-meaning. I welcome the assurance from our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and various Ministers that the projection numbers are just that − projections − to ensure that our infrastructure investment is sufficient for keeping Singapore as one of the most liveable cities in the world. Hence, I support Mr Liang Eng Hwa's amendments which clarify this paper in the right perspective. This is the first time a White Paper has been presented and debated to plan and prepare for a high quality living environment as Singapore's demography changes. Previously, similar issues have been presented in various Concept Plans. With help from the United Nations, Singapore's first Concept Plan was formed in 1971 to guide our land planning for the following 20 years. In 1971, we had a population of 2.1 million. A major review of the 1971 Concept Plan was undertaken and completed in 1991. It stressed quality, identity and variety when planning for a population of 4 million. In 1991, our population was 3.1 million. Another review was completed in 2001 based on the "long-term population parameter of 5.5 million". The Concept Plan was not specific about when we were projected to reach that number. At that time in 2001, we had reached 4.1 million people. A mid-term review was conducted in 2006 and the long-term population parameter was raised to 6.5 million in view of population trends and economic developments. Today, many Singaporeans have expressed concerns, even unease, over the White Paper's projected population of 6.9 million in 17 years. I do not think there were such intense reactions in 1971, 1991 and 2001, when the respective figures were projected.”
“Madam, I understand the Ministry ensures the service quality of PTOs based on the performance standard as well as penalties meted out when they do not meet those standards. I would like to ask the Minister how does MOT ensure that the money that is being used to pay for penalties is not drawn from commuter fare revenue but from the profits of Page: 17 non-transport operations and, hence, shareholder dividends? My second question is: given that the public transport operations receive Government grant injection and, hence, are not as lucrative as commercial operations, such as retail malls, would a situation arise such that the PTO becomes more motivated and interested to make more profits from non-transport operations and does not mind paying for the penalties for service lapses because it just makes economic sense for them as a listed company? How does MOT ensure that this situation does not happen?”
“There was a lapse in maintenance, and the agency responsible has informed us that they will step up the maintenance regime to ensure that the checking and the auditing are done in a more timely manner.”
“Thank you, Madam. I would like to ask Minister: given this recent attack, how would the parameters or guidelines for cyber-security for Government websites and the parameters for periodic reviews be enhanced to prevent future attacks? The second question is: given the prevalent use of SingPass for many of the Government websites, how is the Government going to ensure the security of such transactions for our citizens? Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Madam, I would like to assure the Member and the House that there is a system in place which monitors Government websites on a continual basis. It is really to ensure that if there is a detection of an incident, we will move in very rapidly. Meanwhile, there are policies and guidelines in which we have encouraged all agencies dealing with highly sensitive data or websites to put in place proper systems. They are being audited, not only by the IDA, but they are expected to be audited on their own Page: 40 through acquiring expertise from the private sector. Most importantly, the regular reviews by the team within IDA and Government help us to ensure that we learn better and, at the same time, put in place new measures. To the Member's final question about SingPass, it has been working quite well. We are not resting on our laurels. We will continue to monitor the situation. Thus far, the system is safe and secure. To the Member's other question of whether our parameters and policies will change from this incident, we are reviewing this. The incidents are still undergoing investigation. And certainly, we will learn from this as to whether we need to enhance it or not. One thing that we have learnt is that we were aware of this vulnerability. In fact, the agencies using this software were told to do so to check ahead of time.”
“Thank you, Sir. I would like to ask Senior Minister of State: for the non-benefiting units, while I am happy to learn that the authority is willing to consider perhaps a relocation for them to enjoy a flat with lift access, would the Ministry be able to consider offering a package to facilitate the relocation, to be of a value similar to the subsidy cap that is offered to each benefiting unit, which I believe is about $30,000?”
“I would like to ask the Minister: have increases in both the CHAS members as well as clinics on the scheme met the Ministry's expectations? And has the scheme eased the patient volume at polyclinics? Also, is there an annual budget set aside for the reimbursements to the private clinics for CHAS and what is the timeframe that the Ministry is adopting to assess the success of the scheme in order to consider whether to extend the scheme for patients below 40 years old?”
“As mentioned in the earlier question by Ms Koh, we did not see any reason to change until we receive those complaints. So the FCP therefore allowed us a second check in case there was some feedback from the members of the community. In this particular instance, we have to convene the FCP because there were complaints and therefore we have to take the FCP's comments into account. Page: 1058”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister, given that the vast majority of the FCP had reservations about the film, why was MDA's initial assessment so different by giving it a M18 rating while they could also give a R21 rating. Secondly, has there been a substantial change between what was submitted earlier to MDA and the final production? And, thirdly, I would like the Minister to address my parliamentary question about the standard procedure for films' final classification when there is a difference between the Board of Films Censors and the Films Consultative Panel's assessment. And is the final classification automatically based on the more conservative assessment? Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: On the Member's final question, the answer is no. At the end of the day, the BFC has the final say on what is the classification to be used, if there is a disagreement, which I mentioned in my reply. Fundamentally, if there are no major agreements, the BFC would have to take into account the views of the FCP. In this particular instance, as I mentioned in my reply, 20 out of 24 disagreed entirely. So, it would be very unwise for us to ignore that particular response from a very diverse group of people. Out of the 20 and 24, in fact, the composition was very, very diverse because we have people from different backgrounds, different races and different professions. As to his first question, yes, we viewed the film entirely. In fact, there are three films as part of the whole package. We viewed them in entirety last December. Based on what we felt was a prevailing norm and looking at the film the way it was presented, we thought that M18 would be a justified classification.”
“I would like to ask Minister if valuers look into past transacted prices to determine the valuation price, and if these transacted prices include the COVs? If so, would that artificially prop up the resale flat prices? May I ask why is there no COV practice in the transactions of private properties?”
“Just to clarify that I should be filing this PQ to MND who oversees the Town Councils?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the answer. I would like to ask whether in cases of bicycles or potted plants − are these considered combustible materials? In lift lobbies where there is a minimum access area of 1.2 metres, would these items be allowed? Based on my experience, I have been getting quite consistent enforcement guidelines or enforcement practices by Town Councils that these are not allowed because of SCDF guidelines. The HDB, MND checking of Town Councils' performance leading to the quarterly reports seem to also adopt the same practices. So, I would like to ask the Ministry whether they could exercise some flexibility so that residents can have reasonable use of the lift lobbies so that the common space can be shared and that the Town Councils are not unduly penalised by blind application of the guidelines. Page: 725”